The Legend 2/19-2/26

[ksm77]

We took our family ages 6-57 on this cruise. We had 3 balcony cabins side by side on the upper deck. Cabin steward was the best. He took great care of our family. We are platinum but this was our first time on a spirit class ship. We loved the Legend, I thought it was in very good condition to be 10 yrs old. Our 6 & 7 year old grandchildren loved Camp Carnival. I can't say enough good things about the camp counselors they were great with the kids. My DH and I do not go to the casino but our DS & SIL spent some time there and seemed to enjoy it. My DH & I took the GC to the Show each night and they loved it. Their favorite was the juggler and the welcome aboard show. My DH & I thought the New Orleans themed production show was one of the best we have seen out of 28 cruises on any cruise line. We did not see any of the comdy shows. We tried one night but couldn't get in. Our DD, SIL, & DS saw some of them, they said they were just ok.

 

In Grand Cayman we did the Turtles, Turtles, & More Turtles I would not recommend this excursion. We did this because we thought the kids would enjoy it. The tour consisted of about 15 min. of walking around 4 or 5 tanks looking at the turtles. In one of the tanks were some baby turtles and you could hold them and make pictures. The rest of the time you could spend your time swimming in a lagoon with the turtles, (we saw very few turtles in the lagoon) or going down a water slide in a large swimming pool.

 

In Cozumel we went to Paradise Beach Club. This was great for our family. The kids loved all the water toys, My DH & I loved sitting under the umbrella enjoying some drinks and watching the kids have fun. They also have a beautiful pool if you get tired of the beach. We took a van taxi for the 8 of us. It was $15 per person he waited all day for us. It is $2 to get in, includes chair & umbrella, if you want to do the water toys it is another $12.

 

In Belize DS & 12 yr old GS did the cave tubbing. They said it was fun but the bus ride was 1hr & 30 min each way. DD & SIL took the tender into port and just walked around she is pregnant. They wanted to go to the Mayan ruins but Carnival would not let her go, because she was PG. DH & I stayed on board because the younger GC wanted to go to Camp Carnival they were making the build a bear that day.

 

In Mahogany Bay we went to the beach. It is beautiful there. We thought Carnival did a great job here.

 

Well it is time for me to get to the part that we did not enjoy. It is a biggie for us. We all thought the food on Carnival has really gone down hill. In the past we have always thought the food on Carnival could hold its on with the other lines we cruise (Princess & HAL). We did not like the new menus. In the MDR the food was always cold and just not tasty. The beef was never warm, the fish tough and had a very strong taste. One night I asked for a baked potato it was cold and hard. Our waiter did his best he would offer to bring us something else. He knew we did not care for the food because we were not eatting. On the last night he agreed the food was not the same as it used to be, the quality has suffered. The buffet was even worst. We only ate the grill or the deli, even the pizza was not up to parr. On one day I waited 10 minutes to get a slice it was soggy in the middle I couldn't eat it. I know this is not a big issue for some but it is to us. This will keep us from cruising on Carnival again. I wish they could fix this, but I doubt they will. I know they are trying to keep costs down, but this is a deal breaker for us. The dining experience is a main part of our cruise.

 

A few other thoughts, I thought the service was good never had trouble getting a drink, tables were cleaned quickly. In the MDR the service was good not great. It is not the fault of the staff they are given more tables to wait on, they do the best they can. For all of those who don't want to worry about a dress code. Don't worry there wasn't one. On Elegant Night a man in shorts & tshirt was standing in line in front of us. He went right in, they didn't say a thing. I saw tshirts, shorts, ball caps, and even PJ pants all over the MDR everynight even on the so called elegant night. As for our family we dressed down on elegant night this cruise. We have always enjoyed dressing up and looking nice, but it is not fun to be some of the very few who do. I would say only 25% of the men even had on a jacket I saw no tuxes. We were still dressed up more that most of the people on elegant night and on the casual nights. This did not make or break my cruise but I wonder if it reflects the over all decline in the dining room. Just my thoughts.

 

We did have a good time always enjoy a cruise and being with our family, but the food was really a big deal to us. We will just cruise with other lines we like in the future.

[jsjjkelly]

Thanks for posting! We set sail on the Legend next Sunday, and my group of 10 are headed to Paradise Beach as well. Did the man offer you a "one way" fare? I was thinking around $6-7 each way, but would feel guilty if the man was waiting for us all day!

 

Sorry to hear about your experience with the food. That's always a bummer when you're looking forward to good food...

 

Thanks!

Shawn

[Gregsterman]

Thanks for your review. I'll be on the Legend here in 18 days. I'll have you know it's just me and my two roommates going (3 23-year-old "hooligans") and all three of us are packing sport coats and ties for elegant nights. You won't hear anyone on CC the week after our cruise complaining about us! :D

 

As for the food, that is a total bummer. I've only ever cruised on Royal Caribbean before and I remember the food being hot and tasty. I'll be sure to report back!

[ksm77]

Thanks for your review. I'll be on the Legend here in 18 days. I'll have you know it's just me and my two roommates going (3 23-year-old "hooligans") and all three of us are packing sport coats and ties for elegant nights. You won't hear anyone on CC the week after our cruise complaining about us! :D

 

As for the food, that is a total bummer. I've only ever cruised on Royal Caribbean before and I remember the food being hot and tasty. I'll be sure to report back!

 

Good for you! I am sure you will all look very handsome. Hope youhave a wonderful cruise!

[ksm77]

Thanks for posting! We set sail on the Legend next Sunday, and my group of 10 are headed to Paradise Beach as well. Did the man offer you a "one way" fare? I was thinking around $6-7 each way, but would feel guilty if the man was waiting for us all day!

 

Sorry to hear about your experience with the food. That's always a bummer when you're looking forward to good food...

 

Thanks!

Shawn

 

They did not offer us a one way we asked. There were about 100 taxi and vans lined up waiting for people. That is the way they seem to do it. They make more money that way than going back and forth. They use less gas. You may be able to fine one outside the port area that will take you one way.

[Panelope Barnabus]

and all three of us are packing sport coats and ties for elegant nights. You won't hear anyone on CC the week after our cruise complaining about us! :D

 

Good for you!!!!!! =)

We always dress FORMAL and LOVE it!!!!

[Gregsterman]

Good for you!!!!!! =)

We always dress FORMAL and LOVE it!!!!

 

Good for you! I am sure you will all look very handsome. Hope youhave a wonderful cruise!

 

Hey, we can't pass up an opportunity to look snazzy! How else is a group of grad school nerds supposed to attract the ladies? haha!